How common is fever in sinusitis?

Sinusitis causes swelling and inflammation in the spaces around the nose, eyes, and cheeks. Fever may accompany blocked or runny nose, facial pressure, reduced sense of smell, thick nasal drainage, headache, cough, or tooth and upper-jaw discomfort. Many episodes follow a cold and improve as the underlying inflammation settles. Symptoms and examination help distinguish sinusitis from other causes of facial pain or fever.

The presence of fever does not by itself show whether the illness is viral or bacterial. A clinician may consider how symptoms change over time, whether they are severe, and whether they improve before becoming worse again.

Rest, drink fluids, and use a clean humidifier or saline nasal rinse if suitable for you. If rinsing, use sterile, distilled, or previously boiled and cooled water, and clean the device as directed. A warm compress over the face may ease pressure. Use fever or pain medicine only as directed and check with a pharmacist if you take other medicines or have a long-term condition.

Arrange medical advice if symptoms are severe, keep worsening, or return after initial improvement. Do not use leftover antibiotics; treatment depends on the cause and clinical findings.

Seek urgent help for swelling or redness around an eye, vision changes, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, repeated vomiting, facial weakness, or difficulty breathing. Prompt review is also needed for a very unwell child, dehydration, or fever with rapidly worsening facial pain.

Ask whether your symptoms fit sinusitis, whether a nasal treatment is appropriate, how to perform rinsing safely, and which changes should lead to urgent reassessment.